To bring teenagers into God’s Word using media technologies, LifeWay recently created a digital Bible study program called “fuel: Igniting a New Life with God’s Story.”
"Fuel" uses contemporary Christian music, state-of-the-art graphics and video segments that include teenagers giving candid interviews about the topics in each session. Each lesson also features an experienced youth leader who communicates the Bible story at the heart of each session, LifeWay noted.
Johnston, interim director of marketing in the church resources division at LifeWay Christian Resources wrote in an article on the “Fuel” Web site, “When we asked student ministry leaders, we found out that more than 80 percent of them wanted some kind of video component to use for Bible study."
In the last two months, more than 1,000 churches purchased “Fuel” first volume which was released last July.
Adam York, youth minister of First Baptist Church in Jamestown, Tenn, commented, "I’ve never thought they actually heard the Bible study until now. The material is the best I’ve seen."
While explaining that “Fuel” is specifically designed for teenagers which might not fit for adults, Johnson said, "There are segments about skateboarding and other things that students are in to. We wanted to make sure we appealed to the teenagers."
“Fuel” includes eight volumes. Each volume has 12 sessions presented on two DVD’s and three CD-ROMs. Students will learn the Bible in 96 stories over the course of two years.
LifeWays explains, “Each session of each volume has three parts: "The Spark" is designed to capture the students’ attention using themes such as skateboarding and prepare them for the more in-depth material to come; "Fanning the Flame" features straightforward interviews with teens who have a variety of opinions and backgrounds; and "Combustion," the meat of each session, draws on the skills of an experienced youth leader to present the Bible story.”
Volume Two will be released Nov. 1, and the other volumes will follow every three months through July 2006.
To view sample materials, request a promo DVD and learn more about "Fuel," visit lifeway.com/Fuel.
